Miller, Sinclair, Pilmer, McDonald - Brechin - Damacre Road and Dalhousie Street

[Craigellachie2019]

I have some further information in trying to trace any descendants of John McDonald, Charles McDonald and Ann McDonald born in the 1840's, whose parents were Donald McDonald (possibly born 1812 died 1879) and Margaret Sinclair (possibly born 1816 and died before the 1851 census).  Margaret was previously married to James Pilmer and had a son George Pilmer born 1836.  After Margaret's death, Donald and Margaret's sister Ann Sinclair bore 3 children, Isabella Miller Mcdonald/Sinclair born 1856, Georgina Ross Mcdonald/Sinclair born 1859 and Donald (Daniel) McDonald born 1863.  Donald (Daniel) was my Great Grandfather.  Ann may have previously been married to a 'Bain' and may have had a child John Bain in 1850.  Later census refer to him in the McDonald household as John McDonald.  Ann and Margaret Sinclair's parents were John Sinclair and Isabel(la) Miller, however Donald McDonald Snr's parents were listed on his death as Charles McDonald and nothing is recorded for his mother's name.  His death was notified by my Great Grandfather Donald (Daniel) who at the time was young and may not have known his grandparents.  I believe Donald junior may have worked in a mill in or near Brechin prior to coming to Australia in 1886 and may have been brought up by an 'Aunt' Betsy Smith of 26 Dalhousie Street, Brechin when his mother died in 1870 and father in 1879.  There is also an old family story of Donald Snr having worked at the grounds of Glamis Castle.
Anne

[janiamac]

There is a mention of James McDonald, ages 2 and then 12, born in Brechin in 1839, in both 1841 and 1851 census in Nairnshire in the household of Hugh Falconer and his mother Margaret (Gardiner) at Burnside of Geddes. In 1851 he is presented as nephew of Hugh. Have you had any Falconer connection in your research? I have the genealogy of the Falconers but I don't know how James McDonald fits in. Thanks for any info, Jane

[Craigellachie2019]

Hello.  Thank you for your reply. I'm sorry but the only James I have found is no relative to me and is James Pilmer who married Margaret Sinclair and had a son George.  James Pilmer must have died and Margaret then married Donald Macdonald. This Donald is my Great Great Grandfather.  Margaret's mother Isabella and sister Ann appear to have moved into the household and after Margaret's death, Donald and Ann had some children, my Great Grandfather Donald (Daniel) being one of them. 
The 1841 census of Brechin shows at Gallowhill, Donald, Margaret both 25, Isabella 55, Ann 15 and George Pilmer, 6. 
The 1851 for Brechin at Upper Tenements show Donald 40, Charles 8,Ann, 6 )(presumably 2 children with Margaret before her death), Isabella motherinlaw, 69, Ann, sisterinlaw, 28, George Pilmer Stepson and John Bain 1, newphew (possibly a child of Ann's to someone). 
1861 shows them at Brechin, 9 Damacre Road - Donald 49, John 11 (presumably John Bain), Isabella Millar, daughter 4, Georgina Ross daughter 1, Ann, sisterinlaw 37 so Isabella mother inlaw has died by now. 
1871 shows Donald 59, Isabella daughter 14, Georgina daughter 11, Daniel son, 8. 
1879 death certificate shows my Great Great Grandfather Donald Macdonald , 67, widower of Ann Sinclair died at 38 Bridge Street Brechin, father Charles, mother ......., died 11 Nov 1879, death notified by son, Daniel, who would have been 16. 
The son Daniel, my Great Grandfather then came to Australia in 1886 on board the Cloncurry. 
As Donald Macdonald senior's death certificate only carries the name Charles as his father, I can't go back further than this Donald. This seems to put his birth around 1812 which ties in with most census ages, although the 1841 census differs.  All census records say he was born in Rossshire Rosskean but I haven't been able to find any births for him.
Sorry if my initial post was confusing.
Anne